3In deep fryer or heavy saucepan, heat 2 to 3 inches oil to 350°F. Dip pickles in buttermilk mixture, then coat with flour mixture. Working in small batches, fry pickles about 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels; immediately sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt.

4Serve fried pickles warm with dipping sauce.

Expert Tips

The dipping sauce can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Try the sauce on a salad or sandwich, or use as a dip for French fries. Add crumbled blue cheese and you have an amazing blue cheese dip!

When shopping for pickles for this recipe, you might see some jars labeled “hamburger dill pickle chips”—those are what you want.

To tell if your oil is hot enough, and you don’t have a deep fry or candy thermometer, just dip the end of a wooden spoon into the oil. If small bubbles form around the spoon, the oil is ready for frying.